WHO on high alert as USAID cuts threaten global vaccination efforts
- Paul Aage Hegvik
- Mar 30
- 9 min read
As of March 28, 2025, Australia is experiencing a notable increase in measles cases, with several states issuing health alerts and identifying multiple exposure sites. The global measles situation has deteriorated significantly, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting alarming increases in both cases and deaths.
The campaign highlights the importance of immunization to prevent highly contagious diseases like measles and rubella, making the photo a suitable visual reference for measles-related topics, particularly in the context of vaccination drives and public health efforts.
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Health authorities in Victoria and New South Wales (NSW) have issued urgent measles warnings following a surge of cases linked to international travel, particularly from Bali and other Southeast Asian destinations.
As of now, five new measles cases have been confirmed in Victoria, bringing the total to 13 in 2025. Three of these cases were directly linked to travel from Bali, while two were associated with a local outbreak.
Exposure sites and areas of concern
Authorities have identified several potential exposure sites across Victoria, including:
Nightclubs on Chapel Street Revolver Upstairs, ONESIXONE, and Somewhere Bar during the Labor Day long weekend.
Shopping Centres and Hotels Highpoint Shopping Centre, Taylor’s Lakes Hotel, and fast-food outlets in Mornington on March 7.
Hospitals Frankston Hospital’s emergency department (March 11–13) and Rosebud Hospital’s emergency department (March 11).
In NSW, a case of measles was identified in a traveler returning from Southeast Asia, where outbreaks have been reported in Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Potential exposure sites in NSW include:
March 10: Vietnam Airlines flight VN773 from Ho Chi Minh City to Sydney and the Sydney International Airport arrivals terminal.
March 13: The Children’s Hospital at Westmead Emergency Department waiting room.
Symptoms and vaccination advice
Health officials warn that measles is highly contagious and spreads through coughing and sneezing. Symptoms, which can appear 7–18 days after exposure, include:
Fever
Cough
Runny nose
Rash (which typically starts on the face and spreads)
Severe complications can include pneumonia and brain inflammation, which may be life-threatening.
Vaccination campaign intensified
Authorities are urging Australians to check their measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination status, as vaccination rates have fallen below the 95% target since the COVID-19 pandemic. The MMR vaccine is free for those born after 1966 and is recommended for:
Children at 12 and 18 months
Adults born after 1965 who have not had two doses
Travelers visiting regions with active measles outbreaks
International travel precautions
With ongoing outbreaks in Southeast Asia, travelers are encouraged to be vaccinated before departure. Infants under 12 months can receive an earlier dose of the MMR vaccine if traveling to high-risk areas.
Health officials recommend that anyone unsure about their vaccination history receive an additional dose. The vaccine is available through general practitioners and pharmacies, particularly for travelers and individuals planning to visit high-risk areas.
New South Wales (NSW): NSW has reported 16 measles cases this year. A recent case involved an unvaccinated traveler returning from Vietnam, who visited multiple locations in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie while infectious. Health authorities have listed specific exposure sites and are urging residents to monitor for symptoms.
Victoria: Victoria has confirmed 14 measles cases in 2025, with four attributed to local transmission. Exposure sites include popular venues such as Revolver Upstairs Bar in Prahran, Frankston Hospital, and Highpoint Shopping Centre. Health officials are advising individuals who visited these locations during specified times to be vigilant for symptoms.
Western Australia (WA): WA is experiencing a growing outbreak, with seven confirmed cases this year. The cluster includes cases linked to Bunbury Regional Prison and Bunbury Regional Hospital. Authorities have identified over 40 exposure locations, primarily in the Busselton and Bunbury regions, and are conducting extensive contact tracing and vaccination programs.
National overview in Australia: Nationally, 33 measles cases have been reported in the first quarter of 2025, approaching the total of 57 cases recorded in 2024. The resurgence is partly attributed to international travel to regions with ongoing outbreaks, such as Southeast Asia and the United States. Additionally, vaccination rates in Australia have declined since the COVID-19 pandemic, raising concerns about potential further outbreaks.
Rising global cases and deaths
The global measles situation has deteriorated significantly, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting alarming increases in both cases and deaths.
Updated: The United States has recorded more measles cases in the first months of 2025 than during all of 2024. A major outbreak in west Texas and New Mexico has infected 370 people and resulted in the deaths of two unvaccinated individuals. Additionally, cases have been reported in at least 16 other states.
2023 data: The WHO estimated approximately 10.3 million measles cases worldwide in 2023, marking a 20% increase from 2022. This surge was primarily attributed to inadequate immunization coverage.
Mortality dates: In 2023, measles claimed an estimated 107,500 lives globally, predominantly among unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children under the age of five.
Regional highlights
Africa: The continent accounted for nearly half of the major outbreaks in 2023, with measles-related deaths increasing by 37%. Factors such as limited healthcare infrastructure and vaccine accessibility challenges have exacerbated the situation.
Europe: The European region experienced a dramatic rise in measles cases, with numbers increasing by over 200% from 99,700 cases in 2022 to 306,375 in 2023. Declining vaccination rates and increased epidemics contributed to this surge.
United States: Between January 1 and March 20, 2025, the U.S. reported 378 measles cases across 17 states, including two deaths. The majority of cases occurred in unvaccinated children or those with unknown vaccination status, with an overall hospitalization rate of 17%.
Contributing factors
Declining vaccination rates: Global immunization efforts have stagnated, with more than 22 million children missing their first dose of the measles vaccine in 2023. The worldwide childhood vaccination rate dropped to 83% in 2023 from 86% in 2019, falling short of the 95% coverage needed to prevent outbreaks.
COVID-19 pandemic impact: The pandemic disrupted routine immunization programs, leading to significant immunity gaps. In April 2020, the WHO indicated that many countries had suspended their measles vaccination programs, putting an estimated 117 million children at risk of infection.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed significant concern regarding the recent surge in global measles cases. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, emphasized the severity of the situation, stating that the death of any child from a vaccine-preventable disease like measles is «an outrage and a collective failure to protect the world’s most vulnerable children.» He underscored the necessity of ensuring universal access to vaccines, highlighting that this requires substantial investment in immunization and quality healthcare as fundamental rights for all individuals.
Furthermore, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), a regional office of the WHO, issued an epidemiological alert on March 3, 2025, due to a significant increase in measles cases across several countries in the Americas. As of February 21, 2025, 268 confirmed measles cases, including one death, were reported in Argentina, Canada, Mexico, and the United States. This represents a substantial rise compared to the same period in 2024, when only 60 cases were reported during the first eight weeks of the year.
USAID cuts jeopardize global measles vaccination efforts
The cuts to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have had a negative impact on global immunization efforts, including measles vaccination campaigns.
USAID has historically been one of the largest funders of public health programs, supporting immunization efforts in low- and middle-income countries, particularly through its collaboration with organizations such as:
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance Provides funding to support routine immunization, including measles vaccines, in over 70 countries.
UNICEF and WHO
USAID contributes to large-scale vaccination campaigns that aim to eliminate measles and rubella in high-risk regions.
Effects of USAID funding cuts
Reduction in Vaccination Campaigns
Funding cuts have forced many countries to scale back vaccination drives, leaving millions of children vulnerable to measles and other preventable diseases. Countries that rely on donor support for immunization efforts have faced delays and reduced vaccine availability.
Interrupted Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIAs)
Supplementary immunization campaigns that target unvaccinated or under-vaccinated populations have been postponed or canceled due to budget constraints. These campaigns are crucial for preventing outbreaks in regions where routine vaccination rates are low.
Weaker Health Systems and Surveillance:
USAID funding also supports disease surveillance and response systems that track and contain outbreaks. Reduced funding has weakened these systems, limiting the ability of public health authorities to detect and respond to measles outbreaks quickly.
Impact on Emergency Outbreak Response
Emergency response mechanisms that allow rapid deployment of vaccines during outbreaks have been hampered by funding cuts. This delay in responding to outbreaks has contributed to the resurgence of measles in countries previously declared measles-free.
Recent consequences
Measles Resurgence in Africa: Countries like Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Somalia, which heavily rely on international funding, have experienced large-scale outbreaks due to disruptions in immunization programs.
Increase in Cases Across Latin America: Regions such as Venezuela and Brazil, which have seen declines in immunization rates due to economic instability and reduced international aid, have reported a sharp rise in measles cases.
Expert warnings
Public health experts have warned that without adequate funding, global progress in measles elimination could be reversed, leading to thousands of preventable deaths. Dr. Kate O'Brien, Director of WHO’s Immunization Department, has highlighted that «even temporary interruptions in immunization efforts can result in outbreaks that are difficult to contain and have long-term public health consequences.»
To mitigate the impact of these funding cuts, WHO and UNICEF are urging governments to prioritize domestic funding for immunization programs and explore alternative sources of international funding to sustain essential health services.
WHO recommendations
The WHO emphasizes the urgent need for:
Enhanced Immunization Efforts: Achieving and maintaining high vaccination coverage is critical. The WHO advocates for at least 95% immunization coverage with two doses of the measles vaccine to prevent outbreaks.
Strengthened Surveillance: Improving disease surveillance systems to promptly detect and respond to measles cases and outbreaks.
Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating communities about the importance and safety of vaccinations to combat misinformation and vaccine hesitancy.
The resurgence of measles underscores the importance of sustained global vaccination efforts and robust public health infrastructure to prevent further outbreaks and fatalities.
Travel advice:
Preventing measles during international trips
Check vaccination status Ensure you are fully vaccinated with two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Travelers born after 1965 who have not had both doses should get vaccinated before departure. The MMR vaccine is free and highly effective.
Plan for infants
If traveling to areas with outbreaks (such as Southeast Asia or the US), infants as young as 6 months can receive an early dose of the MMR vaccine. Discuss with your doctor if your child is eligible.
Monitor outbreak alerts
Check for measles outbreaks at your destination through reliable sources like the World Health Organization (WHO) or local health authorities.
Be cautious at crowded locations
Avoid high-risk areas such as airports, public transportation, and large gatherings where exposure risk is higher.
Watch for symptoms
Be alert for fever, cough, runny nose, sore eyes, and rash after travel. Symptoms can appear 7–18 days after exposure. Seek immediate medical attention if these develop, and inform your doctor about your travel history.
Return precautions If you develop symptoms after returning, call ahead before visiting a clinic or hospital to prevent further spread.
Staying vaccinated and aware of outbreaks can help protect you and others from measles while traveling.
